FEBRUARY 2012: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars Release New CD, Radio Salone, on April 24, 2012
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars return with their third studio album, Radio Salone, out April 24 on CD and limited-edition 2LP vinyl through Cumbancha. This musically sophisticated album reflects the influence gathered from the band listening to a diverse mix of genres on the radio prior and during Sierra Leone's civil war (vintage reggae, Congolese soukouss, American soul, and more). Radio Salone is produced by Victor Axelrod, aka Ticklah (Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, Amy Winehouse, Easy Star All Stars, Antibalas). The album is the follow-up to the band's 2010 album Rise & Shine, which was the #1 album of the year on the European World Music Charts.
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN International, PBS, MTV, CBS Sunday Morning, NPR's World Café, and many other outlets worldwide. The band's journey was documented in the multi-award winning documentary Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars. The resulting album, Living Like A Refugee, as well as their powerful story, and jubilant high energy shows have garnered them international acclaim and high profile fans such as Sir Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and Aerosmith.
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars are festival favorites all over the world. Their North American appearances include Bonnaroo, Playboy Jazz Festival at Hollywood Bowl, Essence Music Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as well as Australia's Byron Bay Blues Fest, Japan's Fuji Rock Fest and many more. This Spring and Summer the band will tour across North America including performances at the Joshua Tree Music Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival and many more dates being set now - please visit Tour Dates >>
OCTOBER 2011: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars Featured on New Dan Zanes Album And In New Playing for Change Episode, Gimmie Shelter
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars are featured on the title track of the new Dan Zanes album, Little Nut Tree. Released on September 27, the album also features Sharon Jones, Andrew Bird, and Joan Osborne and is the official follow up to Zanes' Grammy award winning CD, Catch That Train.
The All Stars can also be seen performing on The Rolling Stones' "Gimmie Shelter" in episode 47 of the multimedia phenomenon, Playing for Change. The project's "Stand by Me" video has been popular online, with over 30 million hits on YouTube.
Formed in a refugee camp during Sierra Leone's vicious civil war, the All Stars' incredible story was documented in the award winning film, "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars." The All Stars' second studio album, Rise & Shine, was released March 23, 2010 by Cumbancha. Produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos (Faith No More, Angelique Kidjo, Rickie Lee Jones, Susan Tedeschi), the CD also features fellow Rosebud artist Trombone Shorty.
With performances on five continents at some of the world's most prestigious venues and music festivals, the band is currently taking a break from touring while recording their next album.
MAY 2011: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars Meet DJ Logic on the Rise & Shine Remixes EP
A long time fan of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, DJ Logic, the turntablist and producer, has taken five tracks from the band's acclaimed 2010 release Rise & Shine and reworked the original session files into a set of funky, dubbed out remixes. The album Rise & Shine Remixes is available direct from the Refugee All Stars at shows on their Positive Revolution Tour - now in progress, playing U.S. dates across the West Coast and Northeast in May 2011. The Remixes are also available on their bandcamp site here, and will be released on iTunes and Amazon in the coming weeks. For a sample, check out "Muloma Remix" free here.
DJ Logic says of the project, "The ability of music to transcend borders and cultures is one of its most powerful characteristics. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars have literally survived through their struggles because of this, and I am honored to be part of this great remix." As the founder of Project Logic and a frequent collaborator with artists including Medeski Martin & Wood, Vernon Reid, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Christian McBride and Carley Simon amongst others, DJ Logic has established himself as the go to DJ for live band collaborations.
Check out Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars live on stage, as they bring their Positive Revolution Tour to the States this May, please see Tour Dates >>
JANUARY 2011: Rosebud Artists Recognized In Village Voice 2010 Pazz & Jop Poll
Eleven albums and six singles released by Rosebud artists last year are recognized in the 2010 Village Voice Pazz & Jop Music Critics Poll, which calculated 712 critics' votes for the most important music of the year.
Listed among the year's top singles are: Mavis Staples, "You Are Not Alone" and "Last Train" Bettye LaVette, "Salt of the Earth" Trombone Shorty, "On Your Way Down," "Backatown" and "Something Beautiful"
Also recognized on the album list:
- Elvis Costello's National Ransom, which features Jim Lauderdale and for which Jim co-wrote the song "I Lost You."
- Cyndi Lauper's GRAMMY Nominated Memphis Blues which features Charlie Musselwhite and Allen Toussaint
In addition, Captain Beefheart's "Big Eyed Beans From Venus" reissue was recognized in the year's top singles list. The late Captain Beefheart was a Rosebud artist until his retirement in 1981.
DECEMBER 2010: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars Contribute to We Are The World 25th Anniversary and Release New Song For Download
In addition, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars have just recorded a new song with producer Chris Velan whom they worked with on their acclaimed debut CD Living Like A Refugee. The new song is entitled "Iñez" and as a thank you to fans everywhere the song and video are available for free download at inez.chrisvelan.com >>
Catch Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars on Jamcruise in January followed by a North American our in Spring 2011 - - please see Tour Dates >>
DECEMBER 2010: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars #1 on 2010 World Music Charts Europe
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars' latest album Rise & Shine is the #1 album of the year on the 2010 World Music Charts Europe (WMCE). WMCE are non-profit and non-commercial. The results are compiled from the individual top ten favorites of world music radio playlists across 23 European countries. WMCE works on behalf of the World Music Workshop of the European Broadcasting Union.
Congratulations Refugee All Stars! Check out the All Stars live in January performing on board Jam Cruise 9 and dates beyond, please see Tour Dates >>
OCTOBER 2010: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars Join Sudan365 Beat for Peace Campaign
Sudan365 was launched on January 9, 2010, 365 days from when a referendum is due to be held to determine the future of Sudan. The people of South Sudan will vote to decide whether they wish to remain part of a united Sudan or whether they want to become an independent country. Sudan365 believes it should be a future in which human rights are guaranteed in an environment of peace, prosperity and harmony.
The All Stars have been touring throughout North America this past Summer. Catch them live on stage when they return in January for Jamcruise and dates beyond, please see Tour Dates >>
SEPTEMBER 2010: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars Featured On New Bob Marley Tribute Album
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars version of "No Woman, No Cry" is featured on the new Putumayo compilation, Tribute to a Reggae Legend. The album, created in celebration of Bob Marley's would-be 65th birthday, showcases exceptional artists from around the world performing many of Marley's best-loved songs. "We are so proud ," say the All Stars of their contribution to the album, "Brother Bob will always be our number one musical inspiration!"
The All Stars will be touring the US throughout September. Catch them live on stage, please see Tour Dates >>
JANUARY 2010: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars For Haiti Relief: Donating 100% of Proceeds From Early Release of "Global Threat"
It's a great tune and a great way to support the work of IRC teams rescuing lives in Haiti.
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars will be touring this Spring, including a performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May, please see Tour Dates >>
JANUARY 2010: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars New Album: Rise & Shine, Out March 23rd
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars will release their 2nd album, Rise & Shine, on March 23, 2010 through Cumbancha. Hear the first single here. The disc is produced Steve Berlin of Los Lobos who has produced Michelle Shocked, Faith No More, Angelique Kidjo, Rickie Lee Jones and Susan Tedeschi among others, at Piety Street studio in New Orleans. Local NOLA musicians, from Rosebud artist Trombone Shorty to Washboard Chaz and Bonerama guest on the album. The band's journey was documented in the multi-award winning documentary Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars. The resulting album, Living Like A Refugee, garnered the band international acclaim and high profile fans such as Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and Aerosmith, who the All Stars have collaborated with in concert. The band has already appeared at some of the most prestigious music festivals including Bonnaroo, Montreal Jazz, Fuji Rock in Japan, East Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Australia, Central Park SummerStage, and Celebrate Brooklyn. They will tour the U.S. in Spring 2010, stay tuned for upcoming Tour Dates >>
MARCH 2009: Idrissa Mallam Bangura, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars Bassist, Passes
Idrissa Mallam (Mallam) Bangura passed away unexpectedly this past week in his hometown of Freetown, Sierra Leone. There will be a celebration of his life this week in Sierra Leone with musicians from around the country gathering to pay tribute. Donations to help support his wife and six month old baby can be made via checks payable to 'The Refugee All Stars of Sierra Leone' and forwarded to:
Attn:
Dave Ferris The Rosebud Agency
P.O. Box 170429
San Francisco, CA 94117
For more information and to view pictures of Mallam, please visit RefugeeAllStars.org.
